海角网

Seven Fellows Conduct Faculty-Mentored Projects Spanning History, Science and Human Behavior

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擳his summer, 海角网 undergraduate students are spending five weeks diving deeply into original research. They are exploring topics ranging from World War II history to human behavior, political extremism and biomedical science.

Through the University鈥檚 Summer Scholar Fellowship, seven students are working closely with faculty mentors to conduct independent research, develop creative projects or engage in service-learning initiatives. They receive hands-on experience that prepares them for graduate study and future careers.

The program is coordinated by 海角网 Associate Professor of political science Dr. Elizabeth Amato, who serves as director of Undergraduate Research. Fellows may complete their work remotely or on campus, where residential participants receive room and board during the intensive term.

Among this year鈥檚 scholars is Allie Johnson, a rising senior history major with minors in professional education and psychology. Her project examines how the American Revolution has been romanticized in U.S. culture and how those narratives continue to shape public understanding of the nation鈥檚 founding. She also noted that these themes are often more prevalent during important anniversaries, such as the country鈥檚 upcoming 250th anniversary.

鈥淭he romanticization of the American Revolution means the tendency for U.S. citizens to mythologize the revolution as an epic struggle for liberty against tyranny, while also depicting the Founding Fathers as perfect heroes,鈥� Johnson explained. 鈥淗owever, this view often glorifies the Founding Fathers in ways that were contradictory to their true characters … and often downplays the violence of the war and oversimplifies the motivations for revolution.鈥�

Johnson said her interest in the topic grew from previous research on propaganda and revolutionary movements. 鈥淚 have always been highly interested in the American Revolution,鈥� she said. 鈥淧ast research I have completed involving propaganda and revolutions guided me to analyze those two concepts within U.S. history.鈥�

Through the fellowship, Johnson has been able to spend focused time developing both her research skills and content knowledge鈥攕omething she sees directly connecting to her career. After graduation, Johnson plans to teach social studies in high school.

鈥淧articipating in the Summer Scholars Fellowship has allowed me to gain valuable research skills and content knowledge related to United States History,鈥� she said. 鈥淏oth of these insights will be useful in teaching my future students about the intricacies of the American Revolution and the importance of historical research.鈥�

Johnson appreciates her faculty mentor, Dr. Timothy Vanderburg, and the knowledge he has shared with her. 鈥淒r. Vanderburg has excellently guided me to helpful resources, provided insight on my topic and supported my research throughout my college career,鈥� she said. 鈥淗is expertise in U.S. history has been an invaluable resource.鈥�

Session I Fellows

• Molly Blazer (History), mentored by Dr. Austin Collins, is researching the role of psychological analysis in the trials of Nazi officials, focusing on Hermann G枚ring and how psychiatric evaluations may have influenced outcomes during the Nuremberg Trials.
• Allie Johnson (History), mentored by Dr. Timothy Vanderburg, is researching how the American Revolution has been romanticized in U.S. culture, examining how educational narratives, cultural representations and ideas of American exceptionalism shape public understanding of the nation鈥檚 founding.

Session II Fellows

• Bella Harding (Psychology), mentored by Dr. Adam Davila, is exploring the use of engineered cells to produce messenger RNA that could help regulate hormone production, with potential therapeutic applications.
• Max Salerno (Political Science), mentored by Dr. Jim Rennie, is investigating psychological pathways contributing to radicalization in U.S. extremism and how those insights could inform intelligence analysis.
• Jacob White (Biology), mentored by Dr. Meredith Rowe, is studying how varying levels of ibuprofen exposure affect the movement of microscopic roundworms and whether prolonged exposure reduces the drug鈥檚 effectiveness.
• Slawka Ndubuisi (Psychology), mentored by Dr. David Carscaddon, is examining how social media use may influence feelings of inadequacy and perceptions of self-image.
• Hannah White (Chemistry), mentored by Jacob Willis, is analyzing how common medications break down under different conditions such as heat and light, with potential applications in forensic science.

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